The Roots Come First 2021 marked the first full calendar year of Birchwood Capital. When people ask me how business is going, they tend to focus on the flexibility and freedom owning your own firm offers. At 30,000 feet, what we do is simple and exciting – help people retire with confidence. And there are…
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Writings
4Q 2021 Market Overview
Market Update The U.S. and real estate markets surged at the end of the year. The U.S. market was up 9.28% in the 4th quarter as measured by the Russell 3000 (the 3,000 largest U.S. companies) and real estate was up 12.35% in the 4th quarter as reported by the S&P Global REIT Index. Developed…
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How to Earn Over 7% on Your Savings
Earning interest on safe investments is hard to come by these days. And with inflation here, the risk of losing purchasing power on savings accounts is a concern. When interest rates are low I must throw up the caution flags about the dangers of reaching for yield, that is, purchasing riskier and riskier securities that…
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When What’s ‘Not Working’ Is Actually Working
“My investments don’t seem to be working” “Something should be changed” Have you ever thought that? Take a look at this investment and you tell me if it seems to be working. Whatever that investment is should be replaced! And fast! It lost almost 4%! Alright, let’s do one more. Look at this investment and…
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3Q 2021 Market Overview
Market Update Markets were basically flat in the 3rd quarter. After basically 18 months of great market returns, this past quarter reminded us that excellent returns are not the normal market experience. I definitely wouldn’t get worked up about these numbers, but it did feel a bit uncomfortable to experience some losses when the recent…
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How to Hedge Against Tax Rate Increases
Here’s how the top marginal tax brackets have changed over the last 100 years or so: I don’t know how or when tax rates will change, but if this graph tells us anything it’s that they probably will. As I write this, tax policies have been proposed, but nothing has been implemented yet. Lower tax…
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